Police in the UK are investigating an allegation of sexual assault against film producer Harvey Weinstein.

The Met Police's investigation into the alleged sexual assault, which is said to have taken place in London in the 1980s, comes after police in New York reopened a 2004 case involving the Hollywood film producer.

The UK claim was reported on Wednesday morning to Merseyside Police, who referred it to Scotland Yard.

A Met spokesman said it would be assessed by the force's child abuse and sexual offences command.

Following the scandal, the producer has been fired from his own company and left by his wife, British designer Georgina Chapman.

Bafta - the British Academy of Film and Television Arts - has suspended his membership, while the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences - which hosts the Oscars - is to hold a meeting on Saturday to discuss whether to suspend him.